FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Indian team thanks fans, Abdelkarim Hassan meets Gurpreet Sandhu after Qatar win
The Indian football team, led by Sunil Chhetri, lost 1-0 against Qatar in their FIFA World Cup Qualifiers clash at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Thursday night.
In Short
- India went down fight 0-1 against Qatar in their Group E match to move 7 points clear at the top
- Abdulaziz Hatem scored the winning goal for the hosts in the 33rd minute of the match
- India is already out of reckoning for a 2022 FIFA World Cup berth but is still in contention for 2023 AFC Asian Cup
The Indian football team, as has become a post-game ritual for them, took the extra effort of thanking the fans who came to see their FIFA World Cup qualifier match against Qatar on Thursday night.
2022 FIFA World Cup hosts Qatar, playing in the qualifiers as they double up as preliminaries for the 2023 Asian Cup, moved seven points clear of Oman at the top of Group E with a 1-0 win over India thanks to a first-half goal from Abdulaziz Hatem.
The closely-fought contest took place at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, where some fans were allowed to watch the match live from inside the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium.
After the game, the Indian players went near the stands and clapped along with the fans as a mark of respect for showing up to watch them play at a time when people are scared of venturing out of their homes due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The video of the players thanking the fans was posted on social media late in the night and is winning hearts of the public.
A bittersweet reunion as we couldn't give you the result we all wanted!
But, we'll be back stronger!
NEXT UP #INDQAT #WCQ #BackTheBlue #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/QPD85FP2KZ — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 3, 2021
Another video is being hailed on Twitter in which Qatar player Abdelkarim Hassan can be seen going up to Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to exchange a handshake and a hug in the spirit of the game.
Abdelkarim @GurpreetGK
Respect knows no team colours! #INDQAT #WCQ #BackTheBlue #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/kiLHTiQn4K — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 3, 2021
Gurpreet couldn't register a clean sheet but did make 9 crucial saves in the match which limited Qatar's lead by just 1 goal. "I honestly didn't (count the number of saves), but I think it was more than last time!," the 29-year-old goalie said after the game.
@GurpreetGK: "I honestly didn't (count the number of saves), but I think it was more than last time!"
How good was that performance from 'The Wall'? #INDQAT #WCQ #BackTheBlue #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/ouOTA2FluD — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) June 3, 2021
Gurpreet was beaten by Abdulaziz Hatem in the 33rd minute when the Qatari midfielder shot with his left foot from close range to find the back of the net and assure victory for his side in front of the local fans.
India were down to 10 men in the 17th minute when Rahul Bheke was sent off after picking two yellow cards. It was always going to be difficult against a team of Qatar's caliber but going down to 10 men made it nearly impossible for the Blue Tigers.
India is already out of reckoning for a 2022 FIFA World Cup berth but is still in contention for a 2023 Asian Cup spot in the joint qualifiers. The remaining 2 games against Bangladesh (June 7) and Afghanistan (June 15), will be crucial for Asian Cup qualification.